NBA Central Division is up for grabs, thanks to slow starts: NBA Insider

Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks are contenders in the NBA's Central Division - but then, just about every team is.AP

CLEVELAND, Ohio - While the Cavaliers slog through at least two more weeks of the schedule without Kyrie Irving as the point guard as he continues to sit with a fractured left index finger, Cleveland fans can take solace in the fact that all is not lost.

Don't believe it? Just take a look at the rest of the NBA's Central Division.

Despite enduring close losses and a handful of blowouts, the Cavaliers aren't that far behind the division-leading Milwaukee Bucks.

In the Central Division this season, just hovering around .500 means you're in the hunt for the top record. And when the Cavaliers face division opponents three times this week (Detroit, twice, and Chicago) there is an opportunity to make up ground quickly. (Or lose ground.)

Take a look at how Central Division foes have fared thus far in the season, and whether there's room for growth (stats through Friday afternoon):

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

SO FAR: Better than expected.

OUTLOOK: Stay the course and who knows?

The Bucks have ridden the scoring punch of Monta Ellis (18.9 points, 5.2 assists) and Brandon Jennings (16.6 points, 7.0 assists) to grab the best record in the Central Division -- despite a string of losses in the past week. That's despite ranking near the bottom in the NBA in opponent field-goal percentage, 45.3. Overall, Milwaukee isn't faring too well with its own outside shooting, ranking 29th out of 30 teams in 3-pointers made at 30.2 percent.

Losses to Miami and Boston prove the Bucks are still working on improving against the league's better teams, and losses to Charlotte and Chicago prove they're inconsistent enough to lose to most anyone. So, what to expect? It's tough to know, but with Ellis and Jennings, Milwaukee has a chance to outscore most.

CHICAGO BULLS

SO FAR: Fair to middling.

OUTLOOK: Still waiting for Derrick Rose.

The Bulls are still waiting for Derrick Rose to return from a knee injury that is expected to sideline him until midseason. Until then? They're up-and-down, like most of the teams in the Central Division, helped mainly by a fairly strong defense. Chicago ranks fifth in the NBA in points allowed per game (92.3) and has the best 3-point defense, as opponents shoot 30.7 percent. They're also eighth in rebounds per game, averaging 43.6, led by Joakim Noah (9.7) and Carlos Boozer (9.6).

Luol Deng leads the Bulls with 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while Richard Hamilton has been exhibiting somewhat of a career revitalization with 13.8 points per game on 45-percent shooting. If reserve Taj Gibson can find a way to improve his shooting from his current career-worst 42.2 percent, and if Rose is the same player he was when he was injured, the Bulls could be back to top form by the end of the season.

INDIANA PACERS

SO FAR: Eh.

OUTLOOK: Searching for a scorer.

Look at the team defensive statistics, and it's a wonder Indiana doesn't have a far better record. The Pacers are third in the NBA in points allowed (91.2), best in the NBA in holding opponents to 40.2 percent shooting, second in 3-point defense while opponents shoot 31.2 percent from long-distance, and the best rebounding team in the league at 48.5 rebounds per game.

Look at the offensive statistics, however, and the uneven record makes more sense: The Pacers can't score. With Danny Granger out for three months with a knee injury, the Pacers have relied on David West to lead the squad with 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. They're 29th out of 30 teams in points per game (90.4), 28th in field-goal percentage (41.0) and have the worst turnover differential in the league as they average 4.13 more turnovers per game than opponents.

On the bright side, it's been a tough start to the season. Roy Hibbert is shooting a dismal 39 percent and averaging 9.5 points per game, down from 12.8 last season. Paul George is coming on strong in his third season with 15.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. And 12 of the first 18 games for the Pacers were on the road.

DETROITPISTONS

SO FAR: Not good.

OUTLOOK: At least they're learning?

Detroit coach Lawrence Frank still has his job, despite leading the Pistons to a franchise-worst 0-8 start. Frank is the same coach who guided New Jersey to an 0-16 beginning in 2010 and had to resurrect Detroit from a 4-20 beginning last season. However, six of those first eight losses came on a long West Coast road trip, and the Pistons will have played 11 road games, already, by Sunday. There's some hope.

Greg Monroe looks like a legitimate frontcourt player while averaging 16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds in his third season, and Brandon Knight is showing steady improvement in 13.1 points and 5.8 assists per game. Rookie Andre Drummond is still learning and putting up 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game.

A lack of skill players and some of the statistics tell the story of a team that is still figuring it all out. They're 11th in field-goal percentage (45 percent), sixth in 3-point shooting (39 percent). But they're also 23rd in rebounding (40.6) and the 10th-worst team in the NBA in turnover differential as they average 1.19 more turnovers per game than opponents.

CLEVELANDCAVALIERS

SO FAR: Yikes.

OUTLOOK: When is Kyrie Irving back?

Byron Scott says it over and over, but it bears repeating: The Cavaliers really need to work on defense. They are the worst in the NBA in allowing opponents to shoot 49 percent. Even with Anderson Varejao leading the NBA in rebounding, as a team, they're still middle-of-the-pack, ranking 17th with 41.2 rebounds per game.

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